Browse Forums Building A New House 1 Jul 03, 2009 8:53 pm We got our variations invoice tonight (handover in 2 weeks). They've charged us $186.10 for "electricy usage", noting "please note final account will be sent after hand over". Our specifications states: "Owners will be responsible for payment of consumer electricity fees that are shown on their power accounts" Huh? "Their" power accounts? What exactly does this mean? Did you have to pay your builder for the power charges during the build? We didn't have to last when we built with Henley. Re: Builder has charged us for electricity usage during build 2Jul 03, 2009 9:06 pm From what I gather, you provide power to builders and you pay for any power usage. But this would be on your electricity bill, so the builder doesn't need to charge you again. Did you have the electricity connected and in your name? Demolition August 2009, Construction Started September 2009, Completed December 2010 Re: Builder has charged us for electricity usage during build 3Jul 03, 2009 9:09 pm We haven't started building yet so I can't comment from experience but I have read threads about this subject before. If you do a search you'll surely find something. Here's just one I found viewtopic.php?f=31&t=8777&hilit=electricity+usage HTH Re: Builder has charged us for electricity usage during build 4Jul 03, 2009 9:12 pm Thanks Renee for the link... The electricity is not in our name. I have to organise changing the account details next week, so bills are in the builder's name. The water has always been in our name and our last usage bill was almost as much as we paid here where we're sharing with my parents So a family of 7 used just a tad more water than a vacant block of land....??? I always assumed we pay for the water, they pay for the power. Re: Builder has charged us for electricity usage during build 5Jul 03, 2009 9:22 pm Hi Oztish, Congratulations on nearing handover. In regards to electricity I am pretty sure that the builder pays for the electricity unless otherwise stated in your contract. My uncle built with S!monds and he didn't pay for electricity just the water. I think you should re-read the contract again to see who pays for it. All the best. Re: Builder has charged us for electricity usage during build 6Jul 03, 2009 9:38 pm Building with DFH just looked at our contract and our states that we must supply and pay for usage that the builders will use mmmmmmmmmmmm Not happy about that and will be taking this up with them Monday doesn't seem fair really, aren't we paying enough already? https://forum.homeone.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=19655 FINALLY slab down 5th SEPT Oct 16 Bricking/ plaster starting Dec 1 Painting started END OF CONTRACT IS UP SOON HURRY UP AND FINISH MY HOME..... countdown to 27th Feb. LATROBE 320 WITH DENNIS FAMILY HOMES Re: Builder has charged us for electricity usage during build 7Jul 03, 2009 9:39 pm If you go back and read my first post you'll see the wording on our specs.... I'm not sure what this wording actually means, hence my original query... Oh, and thanks Polo (future neighbour)! Re: Builder has charged us for electricity usage during build 8Jul 03, 2009 9:52 pm Hi Oztish, I think you shouldn't pay for it as it's not your account, have you ask the builder, it could be a mistake?? Maybe ask other people around the estate whether they paid for the electricity usage charge for their build. Re: Builder has charged us for electricity usage during build 9Jul 03, 2009 9:54 pm Hmmm yes it's a bit ambiguous. I've asked a couple of people who I know had the same builder, just waiting on replies. It's not a huge amount but still $186 is $186. Re: Builder has charged us for electricity usage during build 10Jul 03, 2009 10:06 pm yeah I know it's not a huge amount but it's the principle of it, why should we pay for something that we shouldn't have to. Just hope they are not in financial trouble or something. By the way your house looks good. Re: Builder has charged us for electricity usage during build 11Jul 03, 2009 10:26 pm Sometimes you do, sometimes you don't I know with our builder we have to pay for it, but with some builders they absorb the cost. It's never really that high anyway, I was told if it's over like $200 for the whole build then someone could be tapping the power box and to let them know. Building with CELEBRATION HOMES @ THE GLADES in BYFORD W.A. My Build thread: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=19512&p=249550#p249550 Re: Builder has charged us for electricity usage during build 12Jul 03, 2009 10:44 pm Most larger companies dont charge for power but it is not out of the question to not only pass on the electricity cost but there may also be charges for when power is not accessable ie. when the meter board is not yet powered up (3 weeks by power core).. Generator costs may be added to your contract. check it. I don't think that you realy have to worry about a less than $200 it more than likely is a connection fee included as it costs around $50 of electricity to build a house in most cases.(call your service provider) Usualy $0 for water as there is an allowance and yes you do have to pay your rates... Enjoy your new home... oztish We got our variations invoice tonight (handover in 2 weeks). They've charged us $186.10 for "electricy usage", noting "please note final account will be sent after hand over". Our specifications states: "Owners will be responsible for payment of consumer electricity fees that are shown on their power accounts" Huh? "Their" power accounts? What exactly does this mean? Did you have to pay your builder for the power charges during the build? We didn't have to last when we built with Henley. Re: Builder has charged us for electricity usage during build 13Jul 03, 2009 10:58 pm what's worse? getting a bill for $200 worth of electricity or having a $1000 built into the price and not getting billed separately? ’’Quondo Omni Flunkus Mortati ’’ If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy. Stila BK1 Build Thread The best place to talk about sport Re: Builder has charged us for electricity usage during build 14Jul 04, 2009 4:10 am Built with JG King and no charge to us, well directly anyway. I assume its estimated and built in to our costs somewhere. In fact they even said they keep the account open for 7 days post us moving in, to allow us time to transfer over, which worked out really well. They had the account with Origin Energy, so we decided to stick with this and they had a free month offer. Have heard of people waiting in Queensland with other suppliers for three month, with loads of paperwork going missing in their movers section. we are selling and moving to the coast, if you know someone who wishes to buy in Mernda Villages, please visit this link http://www.realestate.com.au/property-h ... -107083288 Re: Builder has charged us for electricity usage during build 15Jul 04, 2009 8:08 am oztish They've charged us $186.10 for "electricy usage", Thats a hell of a lot for power usage, I bricked a house last year with no power connected, the builder had an agreement with the builder next door to use his power. To build both houses from the 1 meter cost $30 in total power usage, I worked it out at 15 cents per Kwatt. Re: Builder has charged us for electricity usage during build 16Jul 04, 2009 2:06 pm I agree it's alot - and it's not the final charge - they're going to bills us the final electricity bill once they get their invoice. I went today and noticed the bricklayers who are building NEXT DOOR have their hose connected to our recycled water tap. This recycled water isn't all that cheap and I noted with interest that our last water rates bill for usage was almost as high as the house we're sharing with my parents (7 of us living here) for the same period. Sounds ******* to me. Anyhoo, thanks for your feedback. Yes, I'll pay it - as you say, when you're paying $355,000 for a house (on top of land costs) - I guess $186 isn't much in the scheme of things. Once you know the basics, the rest is easy. Read my post in the thread linked below. viewtopic.php?p=1919271#p1919271 2 19520 i would suggest nothing is unreasonable for PCI. we did all sorts, including checking the hot water, checking all the GPO's had power, testing that the showers were… 9 98695 Just to makea point about this, an approach that some people have found sucessful in negotiating these rises down, Is to provide some workings to the builder, specifying… 4 81728 |